Received a 1098-T for my husband who receives Veterans' Educational Benefits through Vocational Rehabilitation, line 5 does not list an amount.

[lindapettai]

In the deductions section there is a section to include the amount received for Veterans' Educational Benefits.  I'm unsure of what amount to put in.  Box 1 has the amount $6,185.00.  

He received monthly benefits but it depended upon his days enrolled in University- I looked and we had random amounts deposited with the maximum amount being 2600.

I left the box blank and it's giving us the American Opportunity Credit... double dipping?

[Anita01 · Accepted solution]

Yes, it would be double dipping.  If you know that all the tuition costs were paid by his benefits, then you do not need to enter the 1098- at all because there will be nothing leftover to give you a credit.  But since you've already started, If you do know all the Box 1 amount was paid by the VA, then just enter the box 1 amount as VA benefits received.  If you are not sure how much of that amount was paid by the VA, then you would have to go back and add up all the monthly amounts deposited  and enter that total.

[jpb7628]

I'm currently using Vocational Rehabilitation. The amount in Block 1, tuition and expenses were paid directly to the school from the VA and not to you. Block 5 should have reflected this. It being blank is an error on the school's part, it should match block one. The best thing to do would be to check with the school finance office and see the exact amount they received from the VA. 

***IMPORTANT*** The amounts paid to you directly were for housing allowance and ARE NOT TAXABLE, as their use was not restricted. You will not claim those amounts on your taxes. You can claim any additional educational fees and expenses not covered by the VA. The following link explains this if you have anymore questions.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p970